Rod Caruco

I grew up in Central Florida, attending St. Paul's Catholic School, Father Lopez High School, the University of Central Florida, and ultimately passed up offers from out of town schools to study law in Orlando at Barry University School of Law. I then chose to serve the country that took me and my family in as a child. During my eleven years in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps, I prosecuted and defended Airmen at trial and on appeal, and represented Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in his death penalty military commission in Guantanamo Bay. After experiencing every aspect of a criminal case, it was time to return home to my community. But though I hung up my boots, my duty to serve my community continues.

Read more about me at: www.carucolaw.com/biography

Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law

J.D. (2010)

2010

University of Central Florida

B.A. (2006)

2006

Founder

Caruco Law, PLLC

2023 - Current

Judge Advocate

United States Air Force

2012 - 2023

Law Clerk

United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

2010 - 2012

In Order to Form a More Perfect Court: A Quantitative Measure of the Military’s Highest Court’s Success As a Court of Last Resort

Vermont Law Review

2016

Treating Members of the Military at Least as Well as Inmates and Students: Determining When Military Necessity Requires Infringing Upon Constitutional Rights in Cases Before the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

University of Memphis Law Review

2015

In the Trenches of Florida’s War on Gangs: A Framework For Prosecuting Florida’s Anti-Gang Sentence Enhancement Provision

Barry Law Review

2010

An Individual-Level Analysis of Incivility in the Post-Reform Congress

Southern Political Science Association

2006

National College for DUI Defense

2024 - Current

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

2024 - Current

Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

2024 - Current

Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

2024 - Current

George C. Young American Inn of Court

Barrister

2024 - Current

Activities: Provide opportunities for law students from local law schools as well as young lawyers to learn from judges and experienced lawyers through monthly general membership meetings, community-based projects, and social activities.

Florida

The Florida Bar

ID Number: 85772

Since 2010

11th Circuit

Since 2023

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

Since 2012

U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida

Since 2023

U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida

Since 2023

U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida

Since 2023

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 2017

• Free Consultation

Q. My dad is in jail for a probation/cc violation he's been in there since the end of July, he denied the vop and they set

September 28, 2024

A: It sounds like your issue is very fact-specific, and I would encourage you to engage with a criminal defense attorney to dig in and figure it out.

Generally, a conviction comes with a confinement sentence that is suspended (probation). Think, for a misdemeanor, one year in jail, suspended, for example. If you violate the terms of probation, it’s isn’t really a new charge. The state says you broke the terms of your probation so it becomes “unsuspended.” Because it isn’t a new charge, the rules for first appearance, arraignment, speedy trial don’t work the same.

As for the scoresheet, the prosecution is required to complete it and the defense can bring matters to the attention of the court.

But like I said up front, a lawyer would need to really get into more facts and review the case, so I encourage you to do that soon. ... Read More

Q. Is a conflict attorney better than a state attorney?

September 6, 2024

A: If I understand your question correctly, I think you are asking if a regional conflict counsel is better than a public defender.

Generally, and attorney, office, or firm can have a conflict of interest representing multiple individuals in the same case. In criminal law, that means co-defendants.

So, usually, the first person to get a PD stays, the second gets conflict counsel. One office is not better than the other.

It is a way to make sure everyone has the opportunity to get the best representation possible.

Q. If a woman has a restraing order against a guy & she's contacting the guy can she get in trouble for violating the order

August 30, 2024

A: This can be a dangerous situation for the individual that is governed by the restraining order. Generally, a typical order will likely state the individual is to make no contact and, if contacted, the individual is not to respond. If there is a basis for a reciprocal injunction, that may be sought. But that is dangerous ground. The best bet is to go over the situation with an experienced lawyer who can work with the court that issued the restraining order to keep the individual from getting into more trouble.